NEW RELEASES: SADAO WATANABE – ROUND TRIP; BRIAN CHARETTE – GOOD TIPPER; KENNY SHANKER – ACTION CITY

SADAO WATANABE – ROUND TRIP

A pivotal record in the career of this brilliant Japanese saxophonist – a set recorded in New York with a trio players from the American scene – done in a style that's even more freewheeling than most of Sadao Watanabe's previous work! Watanabe had always worked with unusual tones and phrasing from the start – but this album has him really stretching out on long long tracks – working on both soprano sax and flute, with Chick Corea on acoustic and electric piano, Miroslav Vitous on bass, and Jack DeJohnette on drums! The title track is an open-ended jam that takes up all of side one – and Watanabe balances things out with a bit of lyricism from time to time, showing him to be as rich in conception as the regular sort of reed players who might have worked with a trio like this. Titles include "Round Trip – Going & Coming", "Sao Paolo", and "Pastoral".  ~ Dusty Groove

BRIAN CHARETTE – GOOD TIPPER

Great Hammond work from Brian Charette – served up in a style that's a bit different than most contemporary organ jazz sessions! The tracks here are sometimes short – like the old soul jazz organ singles back in the 60s – and Charette mixes things up nicely with a few great covers of soundtrack and pop moments – a bit like some Jimmy McGriff album on Sue Records! Yet Charette's also got a much wider range of sounds than McGriff ever did – a knowledge of the Hammond that embraces all the changes from Larry Young forward – worked out with a sweet trio that includes either Avi Rothbard or Yotam Silberstein on guitar, and Mark Ferber or Jordan Young on drums. Joe Sucato guests on tenor on the album's one long track – and titles include "The Kicker", "Good Tipper", "Another Quarter", "Standing Still", "You Only Live Twice", "Up Up & Away", and "Time Of The Season".  ~ Dusty Groove

KENNY SHANKER – ACTION CITY

Only the second album as a leader from altoist Kenny Shanker – and already a great leap forward! The record features all original material penned by Shanker – really wonderful tunes that bring a freshness to the album right from the get-go, and which hold up strongly throughout! Instrumentation is from a core quintet – with Mike Eckroth on piano and Daisuke Abe on guitar – but some numbers have added percussion, which helps create a rhythmic complexity that really matches Kenny's fluid colors and tones on the alto! The leadoff track features Peyman Samghabadi on trombone – and titles include "Times Square", "Another Morning", "Action City", "Punch", "Shadow Dance", "Midnight", "Marble Hill", and "Riverbank At Dawn".  ~ Dusty Groove

 

NEW RELEASES: SARA LUGO - HIT ME WITH MUSIC; ETANA - I RISE; JACKIE MITTOO - RIDES ON

SARA LUGO - HIT ME WITH MUSIC

The second studio album by Sara Lugo appears on Oneness Records / Soulfire Artists. As Featured guests this time are the Jamaican artists of the day, Protoje and Kabaka Pyramid, as well as Ras Muhamad from Indonesia with it. The album was produced by Jamaican producer Altafaan, Umberto Echo, who also mixed the album, Giuseppe Coppola (Gentleman, Evolution), Lionel Wharton Jamaram and Onedropband. Stylistically, Sara continues to move between reggae and soul, while in "Soldier Of Love" and "I Wish" much more pop accents than before. However, the roots lovers just their money and are likely to titles like "Learn & Grow" and the Combi partying with Protoje "I Really Like You". Who Sara's debut album, "What About Love" has fallen, is of "Hit Me With Music" not be disappointed. ~ Groove Attack

ETANA - I RISE

The beautifully-orchestrated set is helmed by the legendary Jamaican multi-instrumentalist and producer Clive Hunt, whose credits include Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Peter Tosh, Rolling Stones, The Wailers, Grace Jones, Jimmy Cliff and many more. Clive arranged an all-star team of the island’s musicians to contribute to the set – including himself, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Grub Cooper, Handel Tucker, and Dean Fraser. The Jamaican singer-songwriter’s melodic power blended with Clive’s rich arrangements sets this album apart as one of the best throughout her stellar career. Etana carries the torch as reggae’s leading lady with this classic collection of love ballads and roots anthems. With her poised assurance and newfound strength, she evolves spiritually, mentally, emotionally and musically. Whether she is shedding light on the harsh ghetto realities on “Trigger,” “Ward 21 (Stenna’s Song)” and “How Long,” conveying romantic longings on “Richest Girl,” “Love Song,” and “By Your Side” or expressing her deep-rooted spirituality on the exquisite Bob Marley remake of “Selassie Is The Chapel,” the Marcia Griffith’s cover of “Stepping Out Of Babylon,” “Emancipation,” and “On My Way” – each of the album’s tracks is delivered with her soulful conviction. ~ Groove Attack

JACKIE MITTOO - RIDES ON

A nice selection of 70s recordings that feature legendary Skatalite and ska music pioneer Jackie Mittoo on keys – playing his soulful organ lines over some stellar rhythms! Mittoo can embellish or otherwise add dimensions to some steady rhythms or fully make a tune his own, and he does both on this sweet little set! Includes "Jah Hah Harmony", "Natty Congo Rides On", "Jumping Up", "Pray To Play", "Too Bad Bull", "No Get Dub Over", "Nanny Skank", "Freedom Smile", "Taking You Somewhere", "Look At Life" and more.  ~ Dusty Groove

THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS: Our Family Portrait/Stairsteps (Expanded Twofer Edition)

Formed in Chicago in 1965 and known initially as “The First Family Of Soul,” The Five Stairsteps consisted of Alohe Jean, Clarence Jr., James, Dennis and Kenneth (‘Keni’) Burke, and were managed by their father Clarence Sr., who also played bass behind them and co-wrote some of their material.   After winning a talent contest at the famed Regal Theater, the group was introduced to the legendary Curtis Mayfield by Fred Cash of The Impressions, which led to their first recording contract with Mayfield’s Windy C label.  Between 1966 and 1968, The Five Stairsteps had six pop and R&B charted singles, the most successful of which was “World of Fantasy.” 

After Windy C folded, the group continued their association with Curtom Records, distributed at the time by Buddah Records; in total, The Five Stairsteps cut two albums under Mayfield’s wing before switching to Buddah in 1968 for their first LP for the label, Our Family Portrait, with lead singer/primary composer Clarence Jr. and his father as co-producers.  The album included two charted singles, “Something’s Missing” (R&B #17, Pop #88) and a cover of the doo-wop classic, “A Million to One” (R&B #28, Pop #68), a song written by Righteous Brother Bill Medley.  Each member of the group took turns singing lead on various tunes, including the Burkes’ youngest son, Cubie (then just five years old).  Released as “The 5 Stairsteps & Cubie,” the LP reached No. 20 on the R&B Albums chart and No. 195 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart.

In 1970, the group (minus Cubie) began working with producer/arranger Stan Vincent on the album Stairsteps. In addition to further Burke originals, there were two Beatles covers, “It’s Getting Better” and “Dear Prudence,” but it was the song originally issued as the flipside of the latter’s release as a single that would ensure the group’s place in music history.  The bright and upbeat anthem “O-o-h Child” sold over a million copies, was certified gold and reached No. 8 on the Hot 100 and No. 14 on the R&B charts.  The LP became a best-seller, No. 12 on the R&B Albums chart and No. 83 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart

Now reissued for the first time in their original form, these two classic soul albums appear together on this great release from Real Gone Music in association with SoulMusic Records along with three non-album singles: “Madame Mary” (a 1968 track produced and written by Curtis Mayfield and arranged by Donny Hathaway), “The Shadow of Your Love” from the Family Portrait sessions, and “America/Standing,” a Hot 100 charting single (#83) in 1970.  Liner notes by renowned writer and soul music expert Kevin Goins include quotes from Keni Burke, producer Vincent and music industry veterans Cecil Holmes of Buddah Records and Curtom label co-founder Eddie Thomas. Remastered at Sony’s own Battery Studios in NYC.

Songs:

Our Family Portrait

1. A Million to One

2. You Make Me So Mad

3. Something’s Missing

4. The Look of Love

5. New Dance Craze

6. Windows of the World

7. Bad News

8. Tell Me Who

9. Under the Spell

10. Find Me

11. I Remember You

Stairsteps

12. Getting Better

13. Dear Prudence

14. Sweet as a Peach

15. Vice the Lights

16. O-o-h Child

17. Because I Love You

18. What About Your Wife

19. Up & Down

20. Who Do You Belong To

Bonus Tracks

21. Madame Mary

22. The Shadow of Your Love

23. America Standing

~ Real Gone Music

LINDA JONES: The Complete Atco-Loma-Warner Brothers Recordings

Although her recording career only spanned just eight years, Newark, New Jersey-born Linda Jones left an indelible mark on the world of soul music thanks to her distinctive melismatic vocal style.  Her phrasing and approach were so unique that, 42 years after her untimely passing in March 1972 (the result of a diabetes-induced coma), Linda is still hailed by soul music aficionados and other recording artists (such as the late Teena Marie, who considered her a prime musical influence) as one of the genre’s greatest singers.

Starting out as a member of a family gospel group, Linda made her first secular recording in 1963 (under the name “Linda Lane”); however, it was after she was introduced to producer/songwriter George Kerr (briefly a member of Little Anthony & The Imperials) that her recording career took off.  With Kerr, she recorded two singles – one for Atco and one for Blue Cat – before she cut the song “Hypnotized,” a song written by the Poindexter Brothers, in April 1967.

Kerr found a home for the now-classic and timeless track at Loma Records, the R&B arm of Warner Brothers Records at the time, and within two months of its release, “Hypnotized” had reached No. 4 on Billboard’s R&B chart and No. 21 on the Hot 100.  An entire album named after Linda’s biggest hit was cut in the summer of 1967 with renowned keyboardist Richard Tee providing the arrangements.  From those sessions came “What’ve I Done (To Make You Mad),” issued in October ’67 and another Top 10 R&B hit.  The LP also included a third single, “Give My Love a Try,” and a version of The Soul Sisters’ “I Can’t Stand It.” On the strength of the success of the hit title track, the Hypnotized album made it to the R&B Top 30.

Subsequent recordings included  “My Heart Needs a Break,” issued as a single in the spring of ’68 and peaking at No. 50 on the R&B, and a version of The Beatles’ “Yesterday,” both making their CD debut with this superb compilation from Real Gone Music in association with SoulMusic Records.

Also included are tracks from Linda’s final sessions for Warner Brothers including a brilliant version of “I Who Have Nothing,” 1969’s “It Won’t Take Much (to Bring Me Back)” and the single, “I Just Can’t Live My Life” b/w  “My Heart (Will Understand),” with the latter three songs appearing for the first time on CD and rounding out this wonderful tribute to a one-of-a-kind soul singer.  Liner notes by SoulMusic.com founder David Nathan include quotes from producer George Kerr.  Remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision. 

TRACKS:

1. Take the Boy Out of the Country

2. I’m Taking Back My Love

3. Hypnotized

4. I Can’t Stop Lovin’ My Baby

5. What’ve I Done (to Make You Mad)

6. Make Me Surrender (Baby, Baby, Please)

7. Give My Love a Try

8. You Can’t Take It

9. A Last Minute Miracle

10. If Only (We Had Met Sooner)

11. The Things I’ve Been Through (Loving You)

12. Seeing Is Believing

13. I Can’t Stand It

14. Fugitive from Love

15. My Heart Needs a Break

16. What Can I Do (Without You)

17. Yesterday

18. My Heart (Will Understand)

 19. It Won’t Take Much (to Bring Me Back)

 20. I Who Have Nothing

 21. I Just Can’t Live My Life

~ Real Gone Music

Chicago Born Grammy Award Winning Modern Jazz Trumpeter Maurice Brown: 3-Night Residency, Andy's Jazz Club Oct 16 -18, 2014

"Essentially, Brown and his quintet have found the place where jazz, soul and pop converge, shortchanging none of these languages but drawing eloquently from each of them."

- Chicago Tribune

"Hearing Maurice Brown play lets me know that jazz is in good hands going forward. He plays with a love of the history of jazz but he's also determined to add a new chapter to the story."

- Marcus Miller

"Maurice has taken a solid foundation of jazz and blues and turned it into a modern sound that is uniquely his own. He has the power to rise above an 11 piece band and raise the energy of every show."

- Derek Trucks

"Brown's next stop was New York City, where he produced, arranged and performed with acts such as The Roots and P. Diddy. He immersed himself in hip-hop and then brought what he learned back to jazz" - NPR, Morning Edition

"Think Louis Armstrong and his trumpet uploaded for the 21st century to a hip hop beat, and you begin to understand who this young genius is."

Grammy award winning trumpeter Maurice "Mobetta" Brown and his stellar NYC Band are gonna hold a three-night residency at Andy's Jazz Club in Chicago Thursday Oct 16th - Saturday Oct 18th.

Maurice Brown is a classically-trained Jazzman mentored and supported by the iconic Wynton Marsalis and the legendary Ramsey Lewis. But "Mobetta" is also a Hip-Hop head for life, and that journey on this planet rock literally parallels the history and evolution of rap. Little wonder that Maurice not only blows the roof off God's sky with his horn, but he also spits lyrics the way Satchmo spit his own brand of vocalese back in the day. Yup, Mobetta is a horn-playing-rhyme-spraying-dancing machine that Jazz-Hip-Hop collaborators like Donald Byrd and Gang Starr's Guru, or Ron Carter and A Tribe Called Quest fantasized about in the early 1990s. No need to cram to make that Jazz/Hip-Hop experiment happen in these times because Maurice Brown is the living and breathing embodiment of it all, a one-stop shop destined to be this era's Quincy Jones. And then some!

Fresh off tour with the Grammy award-winning Tedeschi Trucks Band (Maurice is the horn arranger for the 11-piece ensemble), Maurice Brown's latest release, 'Maurice vs Mobetta', does a great job of showcasing Maurice's Jazz side versus his Hip-Hop persona. And Maurice "Mobetta" Brown is just getting warmed up...

Showtimes: Thursday October 16 - Saturday October 18, 2014

www.mauricebrown.net

THE PIANO GUYS "WONDERS" CHARTS AT #12 ON BILLBOARD TOP 200 CHART

What began as an experiment and then exploded into an Internet phenomenon has now evolved into an incredible success story. The Piano Guys, four talented dads from Utah, released their fourth studio album entitled Wonders (Portrait/Sony Music Masterworks) on October 7th. In an incredibly competitive week of major music releases, the album makes its chart debut at an impressive #12 on the Billboard Top 200. This marks The Piano Guys' highest debut and biggest opening sales week of their career.

Wonders is also #1 on the Classical, Classical Crossover and New Age Current Billboard charts. Additionally, The Piano Guys continue their long-running #1 spot on Amazon's Classical Chart with four additional albums appearing in their Top 10.  On iTunes, The Piano Guys occupy the top 3 album spots on the Classical Chart. Their previous albums – The Piano Guys and The Piano Guys 2 – continue to claim the top positions on Billboard's Classical and New Age album charts since their release.

The campaign for Wonders kicked off with a star-making performance on the TODAY show and a New York Times profile, which underscored the incredible appeal that has garnered them nearly 500 million views on YouTube.

Wonders features successful single/video releases from the past year such as, "Let It Go," "Kung Fu Piano: Cello Ascends," "Don't You Worry Child," and "Story of my Life." It also includes new songs with strong familiarity – "Batman Evolution" (The Piano Guys' take on various Batman themes over the years), a mash-up that incorporates melodies from Dave Matthews Band's huge hit "Ants Marching / Beethoven Ode to Joy," and Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" – as well some original compositions by The Piano Guys.   

The Piano Guys - Steven Sharp Nelson, Jon Schmidt, Al Van der Beek and Paul Anderson – are an American musical group who became an online sensation by way of their immensely successful series of strikingly original self-made music videos. They've made over 50 music videos since early 2011, including their breakout hit, an innovative multi-handed version of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and a gorgeous reinvention of the hit song "Let It Go" from Disney's Frozen. To date, the Utah-based classical-pop group has released three major label albums on Portrait/Sony Music Masterworks: The Piano Guys, The Piano Guys 2, and the holiday album A Family Christmas.

Website: www.thepianoguys.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePianoGuys/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pianoguys

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PianoGuys

PORTLAND JAZZ FESTIVAL HEADLINERS INCLUDE CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE, LUCKY PETERSON, KURT ELLING, NICHOLAS PAYTON AND OTHERS...

The 12th Annual Portland Jazz Festival Presented by Alaska Airlines is set to commence Wednesday, February 18 through Sunday, March 1 with a record number of 30 headline concerts at venues throughout the Portland metro region. The festival was co-founded in 2004 with Travel Portland to establish a cultural tourism initiative in the metro Portland area, and to celebrate Black History Month through education and outreach programming.

[Photo Top: Christian McBride, Lucky Peterson; Bottom: Kurt Elling, Nicholas Payton]

This year's 12-day celebration will also boast the first annual Jazz Forward Competition, a high school competition drawing students from throughout the western region. In partnership with Portland State University, the JFC was created to establish a scholarship program in the tradition of other prestigious regional events held in Reno, Nevada, Monterey, California and Moscow, Idaho. Finalists will compete in five categories, with the winners receiving main stage exposure.

An astounding array of nine singers will headline shows throughout the festival. Kurt Elling and the Art Abrams Big Band are paying tribute to the seminal early '60s period that focused on three Sinatra/Basie collaborations in a For Portland Only program, which features original arrangements by Quincy Jones, titled Elling Swings Sinatra. Bay Area singer Jackie Ryan debuts in honor of 2015 Portland Jazz Master, Wayne Thompson. This special program will highlight the music of Michel Legrand with music director Randy Porter.

Bebel Gilberto, the daughter of the legendary Joao Gilberto appears for the first time since 2010 in support of her latest album, Tudo. Karla Harris, a Portland favorite, will join Luis Conte to cook with the Bobby Torres Full Ensemble; and Joe McBride makes his debut festival appearance digging Ray Charles with the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Band. NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan debuts, joined by her longstanding bassist Cameron Brown. Becca Stevens, who is breaking out all over the New York region, and making her Portland debut, will hit three ways - she'll accompany Taylor Eigsti, perform in solo, and cover the captivating music of Laura Nyro. 

Label sponsor Mack Avenue Records recently released albums from two stunning vocalists who are set to perform. Vocalist Freda Payne will make her Portland debut with the Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group, and offer up a sultry mix of jazz and R&B, all the while recalling her Motown roots, while label-mate Cyrille Aimée returns to PDX with an expanded ensemble since performing her Django to Jobim tribute in 2012. Adrien Moignard and Guilherme Monteiro, two French guitarists in the style of Reinhardt, will also join Aimée.

Moignard and Monteiro aren't the only guitarists slated to perform. Joel Harrison debuts at the festival with his long anticipated Free Country Ensemble (their 2002 release featured Norah Jones), while Russell Malone will back the legendary Ron Carter. Portland's Dan Balmer and John Stowell revisit the subtle genius of Jim Hall, and Balmer will also join Trio Subtonic and Frank Catalano. Julian Lage brings in jazz heavyweights Scott Colley and Eric Harland in an exciting new trio, and legendary blues guitarist Lucky Peterson will conclude the festival with what is guaranteed to be a smokin' affair.

Three soulful saxophonists, Von Freeman, Eddie Harris and Gene Ammons, will be fondly remembered on Blowin' in From Chicago: For Vonski, Jug and Eddie Who? Frank Catalano, who holds court weekly at the famed Green Mill, will be joined by native Chicagoans Clark Sommers and Mike Raynor with B-3 and piano support from George Colligan and guitarist Dan Balmer.

A handful of celebrated piano trios are scheduled to perform: Bill Charlap makes his first festival appearance since 2009, and also celebrates Sinatra on, In the Wee Small Hours, a For Portland Only instrumental program with the focus on Sinatra's early to mid and late '50s Capitol Records material; he'll be accompanied by Peter and Kenny Washington. Benny Green, who last appeared in 2004 as a sideman on a tribute to Ray Brown, will feature his long standing trio; while ECM artist Vijay Iyer debuts his classic trio with Stephan Crumb and Marcus Gilmore. Taylor Eigsti will make his festival debut in three diverse settings: solo piano, trio with Becca Stevens, and the Free Country Ensemble. Classic Pianos will boast five intimate shows: Eigsti, Stevens, Marc Cary's For the Love of Abbey, former Kurt Elling Music Director Laurence Hobgood, and Portland's number one piano son, Tony Pacini.

"There's a wealth of critically acclaimed artists in Portland, and what better way to showcase them than in the Festival," states Managing Director Don Lucoff. "Just on the headline shows alone, not counting the free gigs around town, we'll have over 50 Portland musicians playing in leader and sideman roles." Bobby Torres, Mel Brown and Hailey Niswanger will lead their respective bands at Jimmy Mak's, the venerable jazz club that is home base to PDX Jazz where upwards of 15 shows a year are presented outside the annual Festival.

Two new initiatives put the spotlight on local artists: The NYC to PDX Project, an assembly of transplanted New Yorkers, directed by Darrell Grant, playing in a manner of configurations not seen before in PDX; and Young Lions Revisited, co-led by Chris Brown and Devin Phillips welcoming an original young lion, Ralph Bowen and special guest Kamasi Washington (a Billy Higgins World Stage disciple and Gerald Wilson Big Band alumni). The Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble Showcase also returns with three bands in support of new albums under the direction of Ryan Meagher.

Ron Carter

Additional headline shows at P5 (Newmark and Winningstad Theatres) pair Lou Donaldson, who last appeared at the festival in 2009, and Grammy® Award-winning bassist Christian McBride, who is making his trio debut with American Pianists Association Cole Porter Fellow, finalist Christian Sands and Ulysses Owens, Jr. Billy Childs, the longtime pianist for Freddie Hubbard and Chris Botti, introduces a bold project: Mapping the Treasure: A Tribute to Laura Nyro. Appearing on the same show is adventuresome trumpeter, pianist, and vocalist Nicholas Payton with Bill Stewart and Vicente Archer. Lee Konitz makes his festival debut with Dan Tepfer, Alan Jones, and Tom Wakeling, and the iconic Ron Carter will make a rare Portland appearance on a double bill with Benny Green to conclude the festivities at the Newmark Theatre.

Lucoff concludes, "This year's line-up will certainly appeal to a broad demographic of music fans with an ample amount of free music all over the Portland metro area. We are presenting music for the first time in the First Congregational Church and return to the Aladdin Theatre and The Old Church. We look forward to nine exciting shows at Jimmy Mak's, the most we have ever produced during the Festival, our ongoing programming at Classic Pianos, and the Newmark and Winningstad Theatre shows complimented by free Jazz Conversations, music in the Art Bar Atrium of P5, and various hotels throughout the downtown corridor."

Bassist/Composer OMER AVITAL Delves Into The Culture of His Homeland Through Jazz On His New CD, NEW SONG

Bassist/composer Omer Avital, one of the most celebrated and revered musicians on the global jazz scene, offers his current creative tour-de-force, New Song, to be released on Motema Music on November 4, 2014. New Song, the follow up recording to Suite of The East, signifies a giant leap in Avital's quest to "mine the deep interconnections between jazz and the music of the Middle East and North Africa." (Jeff Potter, DownBeat Magazine, July 2013).

Upon Avital's arrival in New York City in 1992, the rapid growth of Israeli jazz was set in motion in a profound way. Avital quickly forged an indelible mark on the scene, mainly through his legendary performances at Smalls, where he lead one of the most celebrated groups of the time, a sextet with a front line onslaught of four saxophones (an early gem from this time in Avital's early days is the tune "Kentucky Girl", featured on the compilation, Jazz Underground: Live at Smalls,on Impulse!)."Years from now, when folks are remembering the early days of the West Village jazz haunt Smalls, bassist Omer Avital's name will be as synonymous with the club as Bill Evan's is with the Village Vanguard, and Thelonious Monk's is with the original Five Spot Café." - Time Out New York. 

Avital went on to cast a wide net of influence in NYC and beyond with a consistently creative and prolific output (releasing nine albums of original music since 2001, and at least eight others as a co-leader), and a steady stream of influential live performances at the finest jazz venues and festivals around the world. Avital also recorded and toured with Wynton Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Brad Mehldau, Roy Haynes and many others. Avital has since been hailed by The Los Angeles Times as, "a pioneer in combining jazz with myriad world music elements," with The New York Times adding that, "Mr. Avital and his group are producing some of the most original music being heard in New York," and that, "outside Charles Mingus and the free-jazz bassist William Parker, such dramatic violence on the instrument is hard to come by." 

In 2002, around the ten year anniversary of moving to New York, Avital returned to his native Israel, where he was the co-founder and musical director of the highly unique and successful group, Yemen Blues, as well as the New Jerusalem Orchestra, and involved in Israel's "piyut" scene (often collaborating with some of the legends of this genre, including Haim Louke, Aharom Amram, and others), to study classical European composition and Middle Eastern and North African Music. The bassist spent three years studying folk songs, dance rhythms and rituals, and these invigorated his imagination in the same way that jazz had sparked his passion before. He now looks to the East as well as to New York, toward the West as much as toward the Arab world, toward the solitude of the desert as much as the urban mêlée. The latest result of this extensive study is Avital's ambitious new recording, New Song, an electrifying, highly creative next step after the release of his previous recording, Suite of The East (released in April 2012 on Anzic Records). 

The band on New Song is exemplary, and one that Avital has led for many years, featuring trumpeter Avishai Cohen ("I've been playing constantly with Avishai since 1999. We co-lead some groups together for a decade, and he has played in most of my bands and on most of my albums. Our musical chemistry was there from the first notes we ever played"); saxophonist Joel Frahm ("I've known Joel from my first days in NYC in the early '90s. We nicknamed him 'Soul Frahm' because he has such a warm, soulful sound. I absolutely love what he brings to my music"); pianist Yonathan Avishai ("there's no doubt that Yonathan is not only one of my favorite musicians, but someone who has been a great influence to me in recent years. He understands my compositions and his input elevates everything we play"); and drummer Daniel Freedman ("I've known Daniel for over twenty years. We became rhythm section mates and friends during the important early days of Smalls in the '90s, and shared the bandstand playing with the Jason Lindner Big Band and many others. His understanding of Middle Eastern and North African rhythms make it easier for me to bring my musical vision to life.") The esteemed journalist Peter Margasak said of the band (of their performance on Suite of The East) in The Chicago Reader, that, "They bring a plangent eloquence and easy rapport to the seven pieces, which alternate between delicate, soulful ballads and soaring, high-energy anthems and whose thick ensemble arrangements ratchet up the intensity with every chorus."

For Omer Avital, jazz is a music, and a medium, which has allowed him to honor his roots and delve into the culture of his homeland without limitations. With New Song, Avital, a true citizen of the jazz diaspora, makes his homeland resonate through his voice - a voice that no one could mistake for any other. His songs speak to us about his true self, and about the world of music in which he lives, and that is but one of their many glorious virtues. 

Omer Avital - New Song

All compositions by Omer Avital (published by Abutbul Music, ASCAP)

1. Hafla, 2. New Song, 3. Tsafdin, 4. Avishkes, 5. Sabah El-Kheir (Good Morning), 6. New Middle East, 7. Maroc, 8. Ballad For a Friend, 9. Bedouin Roots, 10. Yemen Suite, 11. Small Time Shit

Omer Avital - bass/compositions, Avishai Cohen - trumpet, Joel Frahm - tenor saxophone, Yonathan Avishai - piano, Daniel Freedman - drums

NEW RELEASES - ANTONIO SANCHEZ - BIRDMAN; TRU - BACK FOR MORE, KASIA LINS - TAKE MY TEARS

ANTONIO SANCHEZ - BIRDMAN OR (THE UNEXPECTED VIRTUE OF IGNORANCE) FILM SOUNDTRACK

"Birdman" is the new film by visionary Mexican filmmaker Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu (Amores Perros, Babel, Biutiful....). Part comedy, part tragedy, "Birdman" tells the story of a washed-up actor (Michael Keaton) who once played an iconic superhero. He must now overcome his ego and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. This unique film features a drum score composed by acclaimed drummer Antonio Sanchez ( player on the Pat Methany Unity Group). The soundtrack features a selection of classical music. Fox Searchlight is releasing the film on 10/17. ~ Amazon

TRU – BACK FOR MORE

A contemporary set, but one that's got a really classic harmony feel – great work from the Philly trio Tru, a group who really keep that old school sound alive and well! These guys have a care with their harmonies that really takes us back to the O'Jays, Delfonics, and other great groups on the scene decades ago – and the production is relatively laidback and unobtrusive, so that the strongest focus is always on the vocals – with just bits of mellow rhythms drifting through the mix to keep things going! Butch Ingram produced, and the rest of the Ingram family provided the instrumentation – and titles include "I'm In Love Again", "To Be True", "I'm Back For More", "Say You Love Me", "Touch Me In The Morning", "Once IN Awhile", and "Let's Spend The Night". ~ Dusty Groove

KASIA LINS – TAKE MY TEARS

The self-composed album recorded at Ocean Way Studios in Nashville with a host of seasoned musicians including jazz pianist and arranger Nick Manson, Zoro (drummer from Lenny Kravitz Band), Tower of Power members Larry Braggs (vocals), Jerry Cortez (guitar) and Tom Politzer (sax) and Pat Bergeson (guitar). This cool debut seamlessly blends pop, R'n'B and jazz with a laid-back vibe. Includes: Liar, Reason, Ain't Gonna Wait, Go Away, Hold On, Yesterday, Sober, and Take My Tears.

NEW RELEASES - KENNY WERNER - COALITION; PHILLY CREAM - GROOVIN'; TOMEKA REID - SOUNDTRACK TO HAIRY WHO

KENY WERNER / LIONEL LOUEKE / MIGUEL ZEON / FERENC NEMETH / BENJAMIN KOPPEL - COALITION

Kenny Werner assembles a new band, borne out of his desire to extend his reach and play alongside path-finding instrumentalists. Guitarist Lionel Loueke and altoist Miguel Zenon are two such individuals. Once coupled with drummer Ferenc Nemeth and Danish saxophonist Benjamin Koppel, a true Coalition emerged. Werner's singular sensibilities may have initiated the group as his own, yet Coalition proves itself a rare manifesto on collaborative interplay. This studio project - Werner's sixth recording for the Half Note label - reinforces his reputation as a conceptualizer and 'effortless master' without peer. ~ Amazon

PHILLY CREAM – GROOVIN'

The wonderful return of Philly Cream – a group who made some great records at the end of the 70s, and who seem like they haven't missed a beat at all! The style here is really in the old school Philly harmony mode – maybe the modern soul variant, with some slight contemporary touches in the instrumentation – but an overall feel that has all the vocals coming together wonderfully! Old group member Art Austin is working here with younger female singers Simone Talley and Adrienne Aje – and the record has plenty of musical support from Ingram, with Butch Ingram at the production helm – in a similar mode to the other great recent sides on Society Hill. Titles include "Somebody Told Me", "A Beautiful Morning", "Crystal Blue Persuasion", "Slow Down", "Cowboys To Girls", and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".  ~ Dusty Groove

TOMEKA REID – SOUNDTRACK TO HAIRY WHO & THE CHICAGO IMAGISTS

Some of the coolest music we've ever heard from Tomeka Reid – a soundtrack for a film based on the Chicago school of imagist painting in the 60s – nicely scored with music from the windy city itself! Reid composed the different selections on the soundtrack – most of which are different themes for Hairy Who artists, such as Ed Paschke, Ray Yoshida, Jim Nutt, and others – and the music features Reid's cello and the percussion of Adam Vida, plus some slight vocalizations at a few haunting moments! The music is surprisingly tuneful at most points – and quite beautiful as well – and titles include "Jizz & Jazz", "Hairy Shoes", "Tin Eared Tenor", "Dappled Pleasure Dress", "O Number I", "The Design & The Dilemma", and "Snooper Trooper".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: ERIC DARIUS - RETRO FORWARD; THE ILLUSIONS - LOVE; HEAVY WEATHER - MOVIN' EASY

ERIC DARIUS – RETRO FORWARD

Eric Darius is one of the true rising stars of Smooth/Urban Jazz. Adored by his growing legion of fans, Eric tours constantly with such superstars as Maxwell, Joe, Mary J. Blige, Prince, and many others. Additionally Eric is a mainstay of Smooth Jazz radio, having already had 8 Top 10 hits in his young career. Eric s first single from Retro Forward, a remake of Pharrell s Happy is already climbing up the Smooth Jazz radio charts, and promises to be Top 5 at the time of the album s release. Superstar producers Tony Dixon(Babyface, Beyonce) and Bluetooth (Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks) ensure that Retro Forward is brimming with today s hit sounds while still retaining a firm footing in the world of Jazz. Highlights include Eric s hit single Happy , the heartfelt ballad Never , the funky title track Retro Forward , and much more.~ Amazon

THE ILLUSIONS – LOVE

Warm harmony soul in the best Philly mode – work from the Illusions trio, who've got one of their city landmarks featured very prominently on the cover! The group have a style that's a nice throwback to older east coast harmony soul of the 70s – that great moment when groups like this were really able to focus on their sound, and come across with a mature, classy style that few acts from other cities could do this well! The Illusions continue that great tradition, and work here with strong Philly help from Butch Ingram and other Ingram members – who keep things in a perfectly laidback mode to fit the mellow spirit of the vocals. Titles include "Let's Make A Baby", "Darlin Darlin Baby", "I'll Never Love The Same Way Twice", "What's Come Over Me", "I Told You So", and "Think About Tomorrow".  ~ Dusty Groove

HEAVY WEATHER – MOVIN’ EASY

Killer funk from Heavy Weather – a contemporary combo, but one who groove like it's 1982! The group have a tight ensemble approach that rivals that of The Gap Band, Cameo, or Con Funk Shun at their best – all instrumentation right on the money, with a sharp focus that hardly belies the size of the group! The sound is sharp and tight, but never slick or smooth – and these guys use a fair bit of keyboards amidst their snapping grooves and basslines – but always with a touch that's more than warm enough to match the vocals. Butch Ingram produced – and the set shows all his great experience in funky soul over the years – and titles include "Movin Easy", "Let The Music Take You On A Ride", "Ain't No Thang", "Wonderlove", "Stick To It", and "I Came To Dance".  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: TINEKE POSTMA / GREG OSBY – SONIC HALO; GEORGE SPANOS - BEYOND DREAMS; THE DOWNTOWN AVENGERS

TINEKE POSTMA / GREG OSBY – SONIC HALO

This album is promising an absolutely fresh and intriguing music. Osby's modern energetic and acoustic conceptual sounds will meet the melodic European influences of Tineke. A recording with two soprano saxophones has hardly ever been done before; it’s pretty uncommon. The intriguing mix of male and female ingredients from Greg and Tineke will show that times have changed and jazz is not a music style dominated by males anymore. Greg Osby was Tineke’s mentor once, now Greg admits they are peers and he has a lot to learn from her. It is a multicultural project uniting the greatest young musicians from the NYC scene, the Netherlands and Australia.  Also features, Matt Mitchell on piano, Rhodes, Dan Weiss on drums, and Linda Oh on bass, the CD will be released October 14 on Challenge Records. This is the first album of Tineke in the last 3 years and for the first time she has been recording as a co-leader with Greg. This album will show her new musical developments influenced by her long stays in NYC and performances with top artists of the US jazz scene.

GEORGE SPANOS - BEYOND DREAMS

George Spanos, from Athens, Greece, is a drummer/composer based in New York City. Spanos’ recent highlights include performances with John Zorn, Ikue Mori, Juini Booth, Lawrence Clark, Marc Ribot, On ka’a Davis, Sylvie Courvoisier, Erik Friendlander, Steve Swell, The Downtown Avengers and many other incredible artists. He has appeared in concerts and jazz festivals in Europe, United States and Canada. His debut recording, Jungle of Illusions 2011 received great critical acclaims among the critics in Europe and the United States alike.  Spanos is a newcomer in the New York City progressive jazz scene, and on this release he’s brought together an impressive cast of musicians including bassist Juini Booth (Sun Ra, McCoy Tyner, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and Art Blakey), guitarist On ka'a Davis (Sun Ra), saxophonist Lawrence Clark (Rashied Ali) and Ikue Mori (John Zorn), as well as vocalist and Evolver Records founder Lola Danza, clarinetist Vasko Dukovski, tubist Ben Stapp, violinist Fung Chern Hwei, cellist Adam Fisher, percussionist Sayun Chang, trumpeter Keaton Akins, and pianist Simone Weißenfels. ~ evolverrecords.com

THE DOWNTOWN AVENGERS

The Downtown Avengers gathers an international cast of musicians from colorfully varied backgrounds. Fung himself is a Malaysian born and raised in Kuala Lumpur, who grew up with a variety of musical cultures including his ethnic Chinese music, Malay traditional music,Bollywood film music and much more; Vasko Dukovski, Macedonian clarinet mad man, is deeply rooted in both European classical music and Balkan folk music; percussionist Sayun Chang, a native Taiwanese whose half­Seediq (an aboriginal tribe in Taiwan, also pronounced “Seejiq” in her Truku dialect) origin allowed her a beautiful blend of native Taiwanese and Classical concert percussion sounds; George Spanos, freshly landed in the States last year from Greece, is an Athenian who integrates his jazz training with his Classical background, Greek folk music, and his love of avant­garde jazz; Ben Stapp, Californian tubist and the winner of the 2nd Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition who tirelessly explores new territories and possibilities for his instrument; last but not least, Lola Danza, the founder of Evolver Records and a fearless adventurer in vocal art, who, although an American, has a Korean background that shines through her music in every way. These musicians, individually worked with the likes of John Zorn, Ornette Coleman, Uri Caine, John Corigliano, Gunter Schuller and George Lewis, are each equipped with very special skill sets, much like characters from the superhero comics and are a breath of fresh air to this musical genre that’s often perceived as “difficult to understand” or “too cerebral”. ~ evolverrecords.com

NEW RELEASES: JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS; JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971; KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO

JACO PASTORIUS – ANTHOLOGY: THE WARNER BROS. YEARS

Stunning work from bassist Jaco Pastorius – a player who'd already wowed audiences with his seminal 70s sides with Weather Report, and on his own – but an artist who really finds a way to grow even more on these early 80s sessions for Warner Brothers! Pastorious continues to push the electric bass into so many different spaces – from fast rhythmic riffs, almost like a drum – to spare, ethereal lines that have a very evocative quality – to meloic pulses that make Jaco as important to his generation as Jimmy Blanton was to a previous era. Many numbers here feature largeish lineups – with musicians who include Michael Brecker, Wayne Shorter, and Bob Mintzer on tenor; Hubert Laws on flute, Peter Erskine on drums, Don Alias on percussion, Toots Thielemans on percussion, and Randy Brecker on trumpet – and titles include a previously unreleased version of "Donna Lee" – plus songs recorded with other artists – "Nativity" with Airto, and "Mood Swings" with Mike Stern – as well as Jaco material from the albums Word Of Mouth, Birthday Concert, and Word Of Mouth Big Band Live in Japan. Titles include "Okonkole Y Trompa", "Sophisticated Lady", "Fannie Mae", "Amerika", "Reza", "Punk Jazz", "Domingo", "Invitation", and "Chromatic Fantasy".  ~ Dusty Groove

JAMES BROWN – LOVE POWER PEACE: LIVE AT THE OLYMPIA PARIS 1971

A lost treasure from James Brown & The JBs – a vintage live performance from the early 70s, and one that captures the group at the height of their powers! The format here is very similar to the excellent Revolution Of The Mind set – a totally funky, totally righteous live performance that has James and the group even more energized than in the studio – working with the kind of razor-sharp intensity that made them a legendary funk act – leaping from tune to tune with nary a break at all! Bobby Byrd acts as the MC, and joins James for a bit of vocals – and the group at this point still includes Bootsy Collins on bass, plus loads of great guitar from Catfish Collins, and Fred Wesley on trombone and Jabo Starks on drums. Dave Matthews handled some of the arrangements – and titles include "Soul Power", "Sex Machine", "Bewildered", "It's A New Day", "Ain't It Funky Now", "Brother Rapp", "Super Bad", "Give It Up Or Turnit A Loose", and "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag/I Got You/I Got The Feelin". Note – this is the first presentation of the material exactly the way that James Brown intended – as a 3LP set, without the remixing from the previous CD – pulled right from the original reels! ~ Dusty Groove

KARL DENSON’S TINY UNIVERSE – NEW AMMO

Karl Denson's definitely got some new ammo this time around – a sharper, more hook-based approach to work with his usual funky groove! Denson's tenor and flute are still strong in the mix, and the record's still got the requisite Hammond, Fender Rhodes, funky basslines, and horns – but there's also a strong presence from DJ Williams on both guitar and vocals – adding in some rockish touches that are bound to push Denson's music to an even bigger new audience. Some titles have the guitar very strongly in the lead, others showcase Denson's reeds a bit more – and titles include "Cheerleader", "Grenadiers", "Three Trials Of Strength", "New Ammo", "The Duct", "My Baby", and a version of "Seven Nation Army" – perhaps the most-covered song ever by contemporary funk bands.  ~ Dusty Groove

NEW RELEASES: CANDIDO – THE MASTER; GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976; ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

CANDIDO – THE MASTER

It's hard to imagine anyone making music for as many years as the legendary Candido – nor anyone who might still sound as great after so many decades in music! This set's definitely well-titled – as the congolero works here with a gorup of Latin jazz musicians, on an album that's one of his best in many years – a record that has maybe even more traditional Afro-Cuban elements than even Candido's work of the 50s, but which also brings in some strong jazz elements as well. Ray Santos arranged the set, and heads up the group – and the lineup includes tenor, flute, trombone, and trumpet – as well as some other percussionists next to Candido, and even a bit of tres and guitar as well – which further the rootsier side of the music. Candido's not totally on fire – maybe not a thousand-finger man here – but is still amazingly rock-solid, and really helps ground the whole record with his work on congas. Titles include "Arcason", "Salsibiri", "Conga Descarga", "Mulatacha", "Conga Blues", and "Lagrimas Negras".  ~ Dusty Groove

GIL SCOTT-HERON – VILLAGE GATE NEW YORK 1976

Gil Scott-Heron like we've never heard him before – working live at the Village Gate, with a style that's even more open and personal than some of his other live records at the time – given the small, intimate setting of the club! The group is very jazzy – with plenty of keyboards from Brian Jackson, and some sweet flute lines that really help warm up the tunes next to the vocals – and the whole performance was captured for a radio broadcast, so the overall quality is nice and strong – and the tracks have a long, open flow that's mighty nice! Titles include "17th Street", "It's Your World", "Home Is Where The Hatred Is", "Must Be Something We Can Do", and "Johannesburg" – plus a nice "Intro Jam" too. ~ Dusty Groove

ROB MAZUREK AND BLACK CUBE – RETURN THE TIDES: ASCENSION SUITE & HOLY GHOST

Rob Mazurek just keeps stunning us more and more over the years – growing way way past his earlier straight jazz roots, and even his key work in the Chicago underground – to a level where he's easily encompassing many different styles and genres at once – then finding a way to make the sounds all his own! This project has Rob furthering the electronic sounds of recent records, while still holding onto a core element of jazz with his work on cornet – an instrument he uses here with wonderfully rich acoustic tones, and hardly at any sort of easy Miles electric modes, or anything like that. The players here are all part of his scene in Sao Paulo – including Mauricio Takara on drums, Guilherme Granado on keyboards, Thomas Rohrer on electronics and soprano sax, and Rogerio Martins on percussion – but all players also take on other instruments, add in bits of voice, and work with the production and processing to really create some amazing sonic energy throughout. All tracks are long – and titles include "Let The Rain Fall Upwards", "Return The Tides", "Oh Mother", and "Reverse The Lightning". ~ Dusty Groove

VINYL BOX SET OF PIVOTAL BILL EVANS LIVE PERFORMANCES, THE COMPLETE VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS, 1961

Concord Music Group is proud to announce the forthcoming vinyl reissue of Bill Evans’ The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961, one of the greatest live jazz recording sessions of all time. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl, the four LPs are packaged with a 12-page booklet, complete with new liner notes by reissue producer Bill Belmont, as well as the original liner notes by the producer of the initial recordings, Orrin Keepnews. Reproductions of Keepnews’ session annotations and photographer Steve Schapiro’s proof sheets from the performances add vintage context to the packaging. As a bonus, a stunning metallic and black poster of the famous cover — Evans, in profile, deep in concentration at his piano — completes the box set.

Ranked time after time as one of the best live jazz recording sessions in history, and yielding two of Evans’ most classic albums (Waltz for Debby, Sunday at the Village Vanguard), The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 represents the pinnacle of spontaneous musical communication: three men breathing as one on a tiny bandstand.  The performances on these LPs demonstrate a new and more interactive approach to playing as a trio, one in which all instruments carry melodic responsibilities and function as equal voices.  Keepnews recalls in his liner notes that “from the very first moments of the recording, it was impossible to ignore the importance of these performances.”

Everything Bill Evans, Scott LaFaro, and Paul Motian had been working on for the previous 18 months led to this moment on June 25, 1961. The little-known pianist and his trio performed afternoon and evening sets that Sunday to a small audience that unknowingly sat through what would become a very famous — and final — set by the trio (the 25-year old LeFaro died tragically in a car accident just days later).  These recordings provide something of a sonic time capsule: sequenced in the original order of the five sets, the audience’s murmurings and applause are peppered throughout; even an interrupted take is left intact. Belmont recalls the process of piecing the performance back together during the remastering process: “As was the practice with early live recording, the songs [on the original album] were faded just after the last note, and much, if not all, of the audience and banter from the stage was removed. So the first stage of the process was to find the reels—if they existed—and try and make a reconstruction of everything that was recorded…The task was to try to make the show flow as closely as possible to what had been recorded.”

Fans of Bill Evans will be thrilled to note that The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961 is just one of several box sets hitting stores over the coming months, joining an array of vinyl titles currently available on the Original Jazz Classics imprint, including the magnificent Waltz for Debby, Explorations, New Jazz Conceptions and Interplay. A 12-disc reissue of The Complete Riverside Recordings, set for release in early 2015, presents all 20 recording sessions from the pivotal eight-year period (1956-63) that launched Evans’ career and defined his position as one of the most significant jazz pianists of all time. These 151 performances are presented in a sleek brick box, along with a 32-page illustrated booklet. Due in January, 2015 is four-LP set The Complete Tony Bennett/Bill Evans Recordings, which encompasses the sublime duets of top song stylist Tony Bennett with Evans, recorded in 1975 and 1976. New liner notes by acclaimed music critic and co-author of Bennett’s autobiography, Will Friedwald, complete the package.

  

Track Listing for The Complete Village Vanguard Recordings, 1961

Disc 1

Side A:

1. Spoken Introduction 00:43

2. Gloria's Step (Take 1, Interrupted) 5:41

3. Alice In Wonderland (Take 1)6:57

Side B:

1. My Foolish Heart 4:55

2. All Of You (Take 1) 8:14

3. Announcement And Intermission 1:44

Disc 2

Side A:

1. My Romance (Take 1) 7:11

2. Some Other Time 5:02

3. Solar 8:57

Side B:         

1. Gloria's Step (Take 2) 6:10      

2. My Man's Gone Now 6:21

3. All Of You (Take 2) 8:29

Disc 3

Side A:

1. Detour Ahead (Take 1) 7:17     

2. Discussing Repertoire      00:31

3. Waltz For Debby (Take 1) 6:46 

4. Alice In Wonderland (Take 2) 8:31      

Side B:

1. Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy) 6:09

2. My Romance (Take 2) 7:26      

3. Milestones 6:31   

Disc 4

Side A:        

1. Detour Ahead (Take 2) 7:41     

2. Gloria's Step (Take 3) 6:48      

3. Waltz For Debby (Take 2) 7:00 

Side B:

1. All Of You (Take 3) 8:18 

2. Jade Visions (Take 1) 4:12       

3. Jade Visions (Take 2) 3:57       

4. ...A Few Final Bars 1:15